I recently received the figures that I have chosen as prize for Pendraken Painting Competition. Approximately 250 figures, mainly Republican Romans, of which I will post pictures so you can see its quality (which is excellent). Now I just need time to paint them!

22 mar. 2013

Painting the scythed chariots and elephants for Pendraken Painting Competition has renewed my interest in this army/project that has been a forgotten for a while. The question is, why?

I think it is because I have no clear objective. Initially the goal was to play Impetus, but lack of opponents and time to play has relegated it to a second/third plane. So I´ve decided to restart the project and organize myself to know what I have to paint. Like any good wargamers know, you always need to have two armies in order to face among themselves. So, as my seleucid oponent I´ve chosen a Roman Republican Army (thanks Pendraken Award!). Let´s define the project.

First: Choose the topic.I want to focus on the battle of Magnesia. It is a very colorful battle where the Seleucid army displays virtually all kind of available troops (phalangites, cataphracts, elephants, scythed chariots, camels ...) and even the Romans have an ally (Pergamon) that gives some variety to the army.

With this battle in mind, I will choose the troops that I have to paint.

Second: Decide size of the bases.
I have one thing clear: each unit will have a single base. Some of the figures that I have already painted are based on a base with 8cm front (ie for Impetus 15mm). It would be perfect, because it is a base size that gives very good sense of mass. However, on second thoughts I've noticed that I´ve chosen armies with a lot of heavy infantry, which involves buying and painting many miniatures. Money and time are not two things of wich I have plenty now, so I think it will be a good idea making the bases with 6cm front. It is a good base size to give mass effect (4cm would be too small), but it will not require so many figures.

Two Hastati units, two princeps units and two triarii units (FT). There should be more units (double of princeps and hastati), because there were four legions, but I prefer to have an achievable goal. I can get more romans once these are painted.

Velites (four SI units) in front of the legions.

Roman and Pergamon Cavalry (HC), concentrated in the right wing.

Pergamon auxiliary infantry, probably theurophoroi peltasts (LI).

Cretan archers and Tralles slingers (two SI units).

African Elephants (EL). There where 16 at Magnesia, but remained in reserve because they had no chance against Indian elephants.

So, once again I have embarked on a new project! Hope you like the idea, and hope to have time to paint some units soon...

Sorry I can not update more often lately, but Real Life got me totally absorbed these weeks ... Besides work, we are doing renovations at home in order to prepare the arrival of a new baby in June. It's going to be a girl and I think we have chosen her a beautiful (and historic) name: Claudia.

This year I´ve participated for the first time in annual Pendraken painting competition. As this year I realized in time, I could paint some things especially for the contest and participate in three categories: Fantasy, Mounted and Open category. I am very happy because, despite the high level seen, I have achieved to be on the top 2 positions in all three categories! These are the winners of the categories to which I have presented.

It was great fun to participate and see how the rest of participants rose their entries daily. I recommend you to take a look at Pendraken forum and all participants (winners or not) because there are real pieces of art. I particularly liked BH62 technique, who has win on a lot of categories, and the SAGA warband by Irregular Wars.